Easton Plans For Snow

The thermometer has been hitting 60 degrees this week, so no one wants to think snow. But Kevin Wallaesa, Easton's supervisor of highways, feels certain the Big Storm is just around the corner.

Having survived storm after storm last year and snow piled so high there was no place to put it, Wallaesa said the city is ready for this winter. Several steps have been planned, he said, that should ensure a smooth snow-plowing and cindering operation on all streets.

Snow plowing was a prime subject at the four town meetings City Council held last September. The residents complained there was no place to park and the city didn't clear the streets quickly enough.

On top of that, the city held meetings with Wallaesa, the Department of Public Services and snow removal employees to get their views.

Out of the town and departmental meetings has come a new ordinance, setting additional snow emergency routes and a plan of action.

"We did have a lot of problems with snow emergency routes last year," Wallaesa said. "For instance cars were parked on the streets and neighbors said the owners were on vacation or away. Not only was that a problem for us, but for the people because their cars were towed and they had to pay those costs."

This year, he said, the city is asking residents who live on snow emergency routes who are planning to be away to be sure a family member or neighbor can move the car.

In the list of suggestions the city is going to deliver to all residents on snow emergency routes, it is pointed out that every effort will be made to locate the owner of a vehicle which has not been removed, but if that fails, the car will be towed at the owner's expense.

To alleviate some parking problems, Wallaesa said, the highway department will make one or two passes in the alleys behind snow emergency routes so residents can reach their off-street parking areas or garages. This will be done before the snow emergency route is plowed, Wallaesa said.

Residents complained that when they did shovel sidewalks or driveways, the plows pushed the snow back on their property, Wallaesa said. "We are asking people this year not to shovel their sidewalks until the road plowing is done. But we also warn them that it is illegal to shovel snow into the streets," said Wallaesa.

He said not only do the homeowners do this, but so do those who plow lots at apartment buildings and businesses.

Another reminder: Cars should not be returned to the snow emergency route until the snow emergency is over. Information on this and when a snow emergency is declared will be broadcast over radio station WEST (1400 AM) or WEEX (1230 AM).

Wallaesa said in general the first streets to be plowed will be the emergency routes, followed by primary roads, secondary roads and alleys, with the exception of those behind snow routes. The last areas plowed will be city-owned parking areas.

"We may not be able to hit the alleys until the following day," Wallaesa said, "but they will be done."

Wallaesa said his department will try to comply with a suggestion made at the town meetings that one side of the street be cleared completely and then the other. While this is not feasible on all streets, Wallaesa said where it can be done, it will.

Salt and cinders will not be a problem this year, the supervisor said, because the city built a dome and filled it with 1,500 tons of salt, almost double what it had last year.

According to the city's information sheet, a snow emergency will be called when approximately 3 inches of snow has fallen and a substantial amount of additional snow is expected.

Many residents opt to reserve their cleared parking area by placing trash cans, chairs, tables and other items in the area. Wallaesa said no one has the right to obstruct any parking space in the city; the streets are public property.

Another lesson learned last year, Wallaesa said, was to transfer two workers to the middle shift, guaranteeing coverage around the clock.

"We are all going to try to work harder this year to rebuild the residents' confidence in our work," Wallaesa said.

Six areas of College Hill, ranging from one block to several blocks, will be snow emergency routes, 12 in the downtown area, 11 on South Side and four in the West Ward.

Anyone with questions can contact the Department of Public Service between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 250-6680.